Local artist debuts whaling adventure storybook

The story surrounds a boy named Xico (pronounced Shee-koo) from the Island of Faial, Azores.

The Herald News, Fall River, MA

Writer

Posted Sep. 13, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 13, 2013 at 1:15 PM

Posted Sep. 13, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 13, 2013 at 1:15 PM

New Bedford

» Social News

Artist and author, David Blanchette, recently debuted his new illustrated children’s book, “Xico” at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, as part of AHA! New Bedford’s “It Came From a Book” theme night.

The story surrounds a boy named Xico (pronounced Shee-koo) from the Island of Faial, Azores, who stows away on a New Bedford whaleship. Along with a talented pet rat named Pink Ears, Xico has many adventures both fun and dangerous as they sail around the world, making new friends and learning about new cultures.

Blanchette became hooked on whaling and “Moby-Dick” when in 1956, at age 11, he watched Gregory Peck (Ahab) and Friedrich Ledebur (Queequeg) ride along Purchase Street in a grand parade, part of the movie’s world premiere in New Bedford.

Over the years, Blanchette worked as a designer/illustrator at several studios with a brief break when he worked aboard an offshore lobster boat. That job entailed trips of five or six days on the ocean bringing the reality of a whaling voyage lasting years into sharp, awe-inspiring focus.

The Wareham artist’s lifelong fascination with whaling history led him to learn all he could about the subject. Eventually, he became a docent at the Whaling Museum, greeting thousands of children as a fictitious whaling master named Captain C. Weade aboard the Lagoda.

“Xico” is published by the New Bedford Whaling Museum and sponsored by the William M. Wood Foundation.

For more information, visit the Whaling Museum online at www.whalingmuseum.org.

“Xico” author and illustrator, David Blanchette, studied exhibits at the New Bedford Whaling Museum to create his new children’s book about a boy named “Xico” (pronounced Shoo-koo) who stows away on a New Bedford whaleship. T